Today, when someone mentions the word “convention” together with “Star Trek,” a certain image comes to mind. Record numbers of fans gathering in costume, huge productions in places like Las Vegas, and dozens of big-name stars headlining panel after panel. The conventions of today are slick productions, but it wasn’t always that way.

In this episode of Matter Stream we’re joined by renowned Star Trek historian Larry Nemecek to discuss Ultimate Fantasy 1982, his project to tell the story of one of the greatest debacles in fandom history, and what it meant for those involved and the future of conventions.